TNAG-2715-FCO40-3921-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 13

MR GOODLAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 11-12 OCTOBER 1993

BRIEF NO 14

CHECKLIST FOR MEETING AND DINNER WITH LEGCO

TALKS WITH CHINA ON ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS

Defensive points (to answer pro-democracy members)

Talks have gone on for too long/ why not get on with legislation?

- We have been working over the past five months to reach an agreement that would provide fair and open elections as well as a set of acceptable and objective criteria for the through train, which would provide an important element of continuity. I think that would be widely welcomed in Hong Kong and would be seen as a prize worth waiting for.

- But we are not in the business of a deal at any price. And we have made it very clear that time is not unlimited. Legislation will have to be put before this Council in good time so that orderly election arrangements can be made.

Better no through train/agreement than an undemocratic through

train/agreement

- We have made it quite plain that there is no question of a deal at any price. The through train is an important objective, but not at the expense of essential principles. We have set these principles out clearly and we will stick to them.

brief.legco.BB

SLN